July to December 2014 Joy Jay

Is it that time of the year already? Yes, it is!

Well, this was supposed to be the July post but then days turned into weeks which turned into months & before I realised it, it's nearly 2015!!!!

So I have decided to publish a final "Joy Jar" post for 2014 with the highlights from July to December.

I am not sure if I told you about my friend Giorgia and her fundraising efforts earlier this year for the Fight against Cancer. In any case, you can read more about it here. I have been helping her spread the word by translating some of her posts into Spanish. And these particular one about homemade energy bars actually inspired me to come up with my very own non-baking alternative: which I am quite proud off. And it is yummy!

In terms of personal challenges, I alway battle with myself about doing things own my own. So I'm quite proud to say that I did some kayaking for the first time in my life. It was night time with a full moon which made it extra special! I don't have photos of it, but needless to say the images & feelings will remain in my memory for years to come.

Finally one of the things that will mark 2014 as a good year for me will be adopting my dearest Blackie, a rescue dog. When excitedly I told my boss at Lanzarote Information I was going to pick her up, she said: "why don't you write a post about it adopting a dog in Lanzarote for our readers?" I was afraid of that. But I did. And it's a great source of pride and joy for me - both, writing and having this little ball of fur in my life.

I take this opportunity to wish you all an even more joyful 2015!

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This is the post that started my 2014  year's resolutions: Joy Jar. 

June 2014 Joy Jar

Nothing really springs to mind... You see? That is the problem about not writing things down as they happen... let it be a lesson that hopefully I'll learn. Soon.

Oh, wait, there was somthing...

I did a little race called the 2nd "Popular Race 'Challenge' of Mácher"or 2a. Carrera Popular 'Desafío Mácher' as it's know locally. 

Only the 5K distance, mind you. There was an option to run 10K which I discarded pretty quickly - I wish I did run that fast!

But as usual, although I did suffer - those hilly starts are going to be the death of me! - I enjoyed it enormously. I also got the support of a friend who although didn't run, was waiting for me at the finishing line. And then we went for a well deserved breakfast and a natter to catch up.

Yours truly with no. 18.
© Dory Hernández

No relevant posts on Lanzarote Information, other than the weekly English movies reviews.

I'll try to keep better track of my enjoyable achievements next month, OK?

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This is the post that started my 2014  year's resolution: Joy Jar. 

May 2014 joy jar

May 2014's achievements:

On the 7th I attended Margaret's book signing of her latest thriller, Houded. Then we went for a bite to eat with her husband and they introduced me to yet another faboulous restaurant: Asian Varadero in the Harbour in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote. 

On the 10th I attended the 2nd marathon of free workshops organised by Esacan. This time I chose an introduction to dog traning, which later in the year will feature as a full course  & artistic reclycling, for the sake of it (as in, no course programmed yet). I met some lovely people and look forward to whatever initiatives come out of it. 

From the 26th to the 28th I attended a free workshop on how to make preserves at the Albergue de Tegoyo, organised by ADELRLAN, the local organisation for rural development. A lot of peeling, chopping & boiling involved but we got to take home with us the jars we filled: jams, veggies, sauces & chutneys...I am sorted for the winter (well, sort of!). 

In relation to my collaboration with Lanzarote Information, here are my favourite posts I contributed with this month:

• Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park Country Night

I got almost tricked into writing this one as in: a friend offered me a ticket if I was interested in going, to which I said "yes". Only aafter I accepted I was told "but you need to write something about it". Ahhhhggggrrrr, how I hate that! The pressure! And, of course, I did agonise about it but I'm quite pleased about the result. Even some friends who didn't know I had written it, being big fans of this particular show in our island, told me: "hey, we read a very good review of it on Lanzarote Information". Chuffed. There is no other word for it.

• Lanzarote Exhibition in London: Heirs of the Volcano

Purely by chance I came across the news of some local artists presenting their works in London. I am very pleased to see that my beloved island was having a chance to show a different side of itself to the world.

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This is the post that started my 2014  year's resolutions: Joy Jar. 

April 2014s Joy Jar

I took part in the 2nd Tinguafaya Charity race - another worst personal best and it was only 5k! But finished it with a great feeling, despite of the insufferable heat, because it was for such a good cause and the atmosphere is always great. 

I am a bit of a procrastinator and I have been putting off writing this post for Lanzarote Information for ages, who knows why. But I finally got around to it... after months of trying to do it! You can read the post here: Friends of the Wine & Cheese Association.

Finally, another thing I had wanted to do for ages, but in this case it wasn't all up to me as there were other people involved. We ended up doing as a belated surprise birthday celebration: a sushi-making workshop by Sushi Bar Minato in Puerto Calero. Great fun and you get to bring your sushi home with you! Yummy!

Ready to star 

It's starting to take shape

...and the final result!

Talk to you next month!
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This is the post that started my 2014  year's resolutions: Joy Jar. 

March 2014 Joy Jar

These are my March Joy Jar highlights: 

Remember the Music Marathon Festival I registered for back in January? Well, the day came faster than I expected. Not that I can say the same about me. I actually did my worst personal time ever. I could blame it on the lack of proper training and the heat of the day, both of them are true. You are suppose to get better at it, but I seem to be going backwards. I felt quite sick during the race and I even considered giving up. But instead, I just took it easy, walk as much as I had to in order to feel up to running the rest. And instead of feeling depressed, I ended up feeling great, seeing loads of people that I know and enjoying the overall atmosphere. 

   

Photos compliment of my friend Roberto Villar from Lanzarote Photografika. 

I also walked the I Paddy's Beer Running that took place on the weekend of Paddy's Day in Puerto del Carmen. The party that followed on arrival at the town's harbour was legendary!

And remember the colorful Nanis I treated myself too? Well, they got featured on Divinity's blog. My shoes on a fashion blog!!!! Super-proud doesn't begin to cover it. 

And finally, these are the articles I wrote for Lanzarote Information, other than the weekly movies in English:
- Playa Blanca Cheese Fair 2014 and
- Award winning wines from Lanzarote 2014. 

Well, see you in a few days for April's Joy Jar!

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This is the post that started my 2014  year's resolutions: Joy Jar. 

February 2014

Ok, here are the February achievements for my 2014 Joy Jar: 

I countinued to write the weekly English movie listings for Lanzarote Information, but a post that I really enjoyed preparing is the annoucement of Margaret Sherlock's latest book "Hounded". 

Catching up with author Margaret Sherlock
at picnic in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote

I also got my Betty Boop Nanis delivered. 
I'm in love!!!!

And after a year of working at House Lanzarote as an admin assistant I am delighted to announce that I have been made permanent! Happy days! 

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feel free to contact us (details on the website) or pop in if you are around. 

2014 New Year Resolutions: fill a jar

In 2013 I made only 4 resolutions and I reported back monthly on whether I kept them (or I failed). Writing about them every month made me "not forget" them. 

So keeping it simple and reviewing periodically was a great help for me. 

This year, in order not to get bored I'm going to try a different approach. Instead of concentrating on a few resolutions, this year I'm going to keep a jar. 

The idea it's not new: you start the year with an empty jar and literally write down on a piece of paper any achievements, compliments, memories... good stuff that happens during the year. At the end of the year, you empty the jar and literally count your blessings. 

I tend to forget the good things in my life so this year I'm going to fill a jar with joy: A JOY JAR!

What do you think?
Have you ever kept a jar? Tell us about your experience!